Thursday’s ad is for Barclay’s Russian Stout, from when I’m not sure, though probably Martyn Cornell or Ron Pattinson knows, since I think I may have nicked this ad from him originally. It’s certainly a beautiful ad and certainly makes me thirsty for some marrow-warming stout.
Wednesday’s ad is for Falstaff, from 1969. I’m not sure what the label looked like before the sixties ended, but the new one is what I remember, a logo and a short story. Notice in parenthesis at the bottom it states “(This family brews beer better),” a bold claim indeed. But then I have to ask, why focus on the new label first?
Tuesday’s ad is an another interesting ad by famed Swiss illustrator Herbert Leupin. This is maybe the sixth or seventh work by him that I’ve featured over the years. In this one a beautifully rendered glass of beer inexplicably has a boater hat with a flower in it floating above it. I don’t what the story is, but like everything Leupin did, it’s a wonderful work of beer art.
Monday’s ad is for Beverwyck Brewing, from 1949. The Beverwyck Brewery was located in Albany, and was founded in 1872. After prohibition ended, “Beverwyck reopened in 1933 with six products. Beverwyck India Ale and Porter were produced from 1933 through 1944, while Beverwyck Ale, Bock, Beer and Irish Cream Ale were produced from 1933 to 1950 when the brewery was acquired by the F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Co of Brooklyn, New York. F. & M. Schaefer closed the brewery in 1972.” Everybody looks really happy to be on a picnic, even the bird is smiling. I think it must be because those beer bottles are huge.
Sunday’s ad is for Pabst Blue Ribbon, from 1947. Featuring singer and comedian Eddie Cantor dressed up in a football uniform, watching the game on to modern eyes is a very tiny television screen. There’s also a small table holding a bottle and a glass of beer. The tagline, “For You Armchair Quarterbacks,” forever linked drinking beer while watching football on TV.
Saturday’s ad is for Schlitz, from 1954. One of several ads from Schlitz that same year all with a yellow background and red line drawing. In this one, the foreground features a high-class bartender in a white jacket handing you a glass of Schlitz. He’s also offering up this pearl of wisdom. “Satisfaction is what you really want in beer!” I’m not quite sure exactly what that means, but it sounds like good copy.
Friday’s ad is for Michelob Light, from 1978. The ad features Monique St. Pierre, who was Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month for the November 1978 issue and the 1979 Playmate of the Year. The German-born model is portraying a a member of the ski patrol, but her St. Bernard “Suds” has a six-pack of Michelob Light around his neck, rather than the traditional barrel of brandy. Unfortunately the brandy barrel being carried by a St. Bernard to warm trapped skiers or hikers in the Alps is a myth.
Thursday’s holiday ad is a postcard from 1908 entitled simply “A Happy New Year.” The postcard shows a pair of young lads tapping a decorated wooden keg and filling their mugs to toast in the new year.
Wednesday’s holiday ad for Carlsberg, from who knows when. Admittedly it’s an ad for the Chinese New Year, but there’s a distinct lack of New Year’s Eve ads that I haven’t used before. This ad was for Singapore and “the Federation” which may help identify its age. Your “Handsome Gift for the New Year” is a free Carlsberg pint glass with every carton you buy.
Tuesday’s holiday ad for Pabst Blue Ribbon, from 1946. IN a scene that looks like it’s after a long day skiing, a couple is relaxing back in the lodge, by the fireplace, as the man is serving mugs of Pabst. “Order it with Confidence … Serve it with Pride.” I’m not sure about the smile on him, it looks a little creepy to me. So maybe they’re not a couple after all, her smile seems a bit forced, so maybe this is a pickup attempt?
